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元栓 (もとせん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Meanings 1
noun
main shutoff valve ; stopcock
Refers to the main valve that controls the flow of gas or water into a building. Often used in contexts of turning off the supply for safety or maintenance.
Kanji 元 beginning, former time, origin Similar words 蛇じゃ 口ぐち 蛇口 is a faucet or tap at the point of use, while 元栓 is the main shutoff valve for the entire supply line.
バルブ バルブ is a general term for any valve, whereas 元栓 specifically refers to the main stopcock for gas or water.
Etymology Compound of 元 (moto, 'origin, source') and 栓 (sen, 'plug, stopper, valve'). The kanji combination directly conveys the meaning of the main valve at the source of a utility line.
When you're away from home for a long time, it's better to shut off the main water valve.